Oxfordshire retailers warned of EU customs charges ahead of Christmas

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 21:20 · Archive

New EU customs charges coming into force before Christmas could wipe out profits for UK online retailers.

Accountancy firm Azets has warned that new EU customs charges arriving just before Christmas could damage profits for UK online retailers. The charges follow the removal of the EU's low-value customs duty exemption in July 2026.

A flat €3 customs charge now applies to goods imported into the EU valued at €150 or less. From November 2026, an additional EU-wide handling fee of €2 will apply to every parcel, regardless of value. Azets warns that the €2 charge is applied per declaration line or product type, which could prove more costly than the €3 fee that applies only to items below €150.

Gordon Baird, customs and duty tax director for the UK at Azets, said the timing is particularly problematic for retailers. 'For many UK online retailers, the final quarter of the year is make-or-break time,' he said. 'Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas often account for a disproportionate share of annual revenue.' Azets warns the changes could turn low-value sales into loss-making transactions and lead to refused deliveries.

How it is being reported

• Oxfordshire retailers warned over new EU customs chargesThe warning comes from Azets, an international accountancy and business advisory firm with Oxfordshire offices in Witney and Bicester.Oxfordshire Guardian · 31 Oct, 20:00
• Oxfordshire retailers warned over new EU customs chargesThe warning comes from Azets, an international accountancy and business advisory firm with Oxfordshire offices in Witney and Bicester.Oxford Mail · 31 Oct, 20:00

In this story: Azets · Oxfordshire · Gordon Baird · European Union

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